XSers in the SF bay area?/ handling issues

[newmaac]

I am kinda in a quandry. I am a new rider, on a 1980 Special.
Among many other things, I have replaced the tires (Kenda Challengers), and added Tkat's fork brace.
The bike just doesn't feel stable under me at medium/high speeds.
Being a new rider, I don't know if I just need to "suck it up", and learn to be comfortable, or if there is something that I have not done, that should be replaced or adjusted.
I really enjoy city driving, but on the freeway, at anything higher than about 60-65mph, it just feels a little "wishy-washy".
I would LOVE to hook-up with a lister in the area to compare the "feel" from another bike.
Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks, Mike

[dspshemp]

I am not in your area, but I had that problem in the beginning. Someone wiser than I told me to close my knees into the gas tank. It has worked for me ever since. Just a suggestion!! RB

[Dennyz]

My first XS was an '81 Special. Around town it was a great ride, but on the highway (anything over 45) it got scary. I would pull over and check things out. Everything seems fine. Shortly after getting back up to highway speed it would get squirrelly.

It turned out to be the front forks. They would pump up and virtually become a ridge front end. I tore them down, clean the gunk out of them and filled them with new oil. The bike cruised like on glass.

Sounds like you may have the same problem. The cheap fix is to drain and replace the fluid. If you do this every 3k miles, you will eventually clean them up.

[CA.XSer]

Newmaac

In 1979 I purchased a XS1100SF brand new, at 120 mph it felt very steady and stable. I sold that bike two years later. A year ago I purchased a used 1979 XS1100SF with about 8500 miles on the odometer. At 110 mph it felt steady and stable on a back country road( guess I am getting to old for the higher speed). I don't have any ideas at this time what might be causing the unstable feeling but I am sure there is something wrong. Above post said forks, what about tires, shocks, steering head bearings, etc? I am just over the hill in Modesto, there is another XSer here that I know of and one in Manteca. Tkat is around San Jose and may be able to help, although I don’t believe he is on this forum. If you get over this way (or if I get over there) let me know and we can get together

[newmaac]

Thanks for the advice, guys.
I have been thinking about getting some Progressive springs. I might as well go through and check everything in the front end while I have it apart.
Gary, if that doesn't do it, though it probably will, I will roll it into the trailer and head your way.
Asuming that it DOES stabilize, I will ride over the hill and show you what I've been working on all these months.
Ride safely,
Mike